Flip-flops might have you covered in certain situations, but other circumstances call for sturdier shoes. You’ll typically want to grab more supportive footwear when: Walking long distances

For such an easy breezy summer classic, there is a lot of contention about the flip-flop’s roots. Many people cite the Ancient Egyptians as the style’s forefathers – they weaved theirs out of grass, papyrus or palm leaves. Or, in the case of Tutankhamun, had them decorated with gold, birch bark and even bone. Price C, et al. (2014). Does flip-flop style footwear modify ankle biomechanics and foot loading patterns? Your ankles tend to roll more when you wear flip-flops. For short periods, this change in gait probably won’t pose a serious concern. But over time, your ankles may grow less steady, making them more vulnerable to sprains. Shin splintsOn beaches and at pools around the world, children and adults of all ages wear simple shoes that consist of a thin rubber sole with a y-shaped strap that goes across the top of the foot and between the first (“big") and second toes. Yes, we're talking about flip-flops!

Your plantar fascia is a ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. When your plantar fascia tears, it can cause pain in your heel called plantar fasciitis.Do you own flip-flops? Most kids probably have at least one pair of flip-flops to wear in the summer. If not, you can usually buy a pair at a local store fairly cheap. If you don't own a pair or simply need a new pair for warm weather, ask an adult friend or family member to take you shopping for some new flip-flops today! https://www.jhse.ua.es/article/view/2017-v12-n4-impact-alternative-footwear-human-energy-expenditure

All you need to do to figure out why we call them "flip-flops" is to walk around in a pair of them for just a little while. Because of how they're made, the rubber soles slap against the bottom of your feet as you walk, making a flip-flop, flip-flop sound. The name “flip-flop" is thus an example of onomatopoeia. After a trek in flip-flops, you’ll likely notice your feet ache, almost as if you wore no shoes at all. Playing sports Harish C, et al. (2021). An analysis of postural control strategies in various types of footwear with varying workloads.Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.